A flicker of annoyance crossed her face as the dizziness deepened her balance wavering despite her efforts to steady herself.
She glared at him half frustrated and half impressed. And for the first time that night her control had truly slipped. But non of the guests noticed as even they are half dizzy them selves.
To the guests it was a perfect union. But beneath the surface it was something far more complex. An alliance. A decision. A beginning. And as the final cheers rose into the night the flames of the lanterns flickered. A quiet witnesses to a bond that would shape both Luo He's and Jin Mulan's futures.
After the wedding celebrations had finally subsided a new chapter of their lives began. Life as husband and wife.
By tradition the marriage was to be consummated on the night of the wedding. Every detail had been carefully prepared for the occasion. Their chamber was richly decorated. Red silk draped the walls embroidered with golden patterns symbolizing unity and prosperity.
A large bed stood at the center adorned with fine fabrics and soft layers of silk. Outside the room gentle music was played. String instruments and flutes blending together to preserve privacy and mask any sounds from within.
The atmosphere was both ceremonial and intimate. Not long after, Jin Mulan arrived. She was heavily intoxicated her steps unsteady as she was guided into the room by her handmaiden.
The woman named Bing was herself strikingly beautiful and graceful in her movements with a quiet presence that drew attention without effort. Supporting her carefully Bing helped Jin Mulan inside.
"My lady slowly," she murmured.
Jin Mulan gave a faint response her usual composure softened by the effects of wine.
With practiced hands Bing began assisting her in changing. The elaborate wedding attire layer upon layer of silk embroidery and ornaments was far more difficult to remove than to wear.
Each clasp and tie required patience and each movement careful to avoid damaging the delicate fabric. At last, the heavy ceremonial robes were set aside.
In their place Jin Mulan was dressed in a lighter bedding garments. Simple, soft, and far more comfortable.
It was just two red some what transparent silks covered in gold embroidery which were attached to her body by simply bands.
One silk cloth had two bands one tied around her neck and another around her chest. The second had one band tied around her waist. The former covering her breasts and the latter covering her privates.
Freed from the weight of the wedding attire she seemed to relax slightly though her balance was still unsteady. Bing guided her gently toward the bed. "Rest for a moment my lady," she said quietly.
Jin Mulan sat down her posture no longer as perfect as before her strength momentarily dulled by exhaustion and drink. Sleep crept closer with each passing second wrapping around her senses like a soft veil. At last she gave in.
The room fell quieter now. The music outside continued to play softly. Distant and fading. And within the bedchamber the night had only just begun.
After his wife was fully dressed and ready Luo He was allowed to enter the dimly lit room illuminated only by a few flickering candles placed near the bed. The shadows danced along the walls bending and shifting with the flame. Through the faint glow of candlelight he saw her.
Her attire had been changed into something far lighter. Two layers of soft red silk delicately embroidered with gold rested against her skin. The fabric was thin and flowing designed more for grace than modesty moving gently with even the slightest motion of her breathing.
One band was tied securely around her waist while another rested across her upper body holding the garment in place. The design was simple yet intentionally balancing elegance with intimacy.
Under the warm glow of the candles the fine silk shimmered faintly outlining her form without fully revealing it. It was a style meant not for display before a crowd but for the stillness and privacy of the chamber.
Luo He approached the bed a strange feeling rising within him as he took in the sight before him. His heart stirred caught between admiration, restraint, and something deeper he could not easily name.
The quietness of the room, the softness of her breathing and the fragile peace of the moment, it all pressed gently against his thoughts.
Yet he suppressed the flicker of desire and excitement within him. He would not taint this moment nor her without her consent.
So he slowly stepped onto the bed careful not to disturb his already sleeping wife. Turning his focus inward he shifted his thoughts toward his system using it as a distraction to quiet the lingering emotions.
It worked. He was granted a large number of charisma skill points and even obtained a new skill called "Alcoholic," which increased his alcohol tolerance as its level rose.
He found himself genuinely surprised that such skills existed. His mind briefly wandered off wondering if there were even skills related to love making and intimacy before he quickly pulled himself back to a more rational line of thought.
When he checked again, he realized he had gained 489 charisma skill points simply from interacting with that many strangers.
A faint sense of regret crept into his thoughts. He had been the one to reduce the scale of the event. If more people had attended and if he had spoken to thousands, just how many more skill points could he have earned?
The thought lingered in his mind as the candlelight flickered quietly beside him and the night continued in silence.
He started investigating his skill points and managed to bring both his Social awareness and Frame control to level 18 by using 171 points on each.
He also upgraded his Negotiation skills to level 16 by using 100 skill points. He then upgraded his presence to level 11 with the remaining points.
Also his Flattery skill has reached level 5 as he had flattered few people along the way. And his walking skill has reached level 8.
{Walking is the easiest skill to improve as anyone would walk unconsciously. These though seem little will accumulate over time to form a lot.}
With that he went to sleep. The next morning passed slowly. Both of them slept far longer than usual even Jin Mulan did not wake up for her usual morning practice session. Her body still weighed down by exhaustion from the previous day.
Luo He awoke earlier than her. For a moment he simply lay there watching her. Her breathing was calm and steady. Her expression peaceful in sleep though not very different from the composed and disciplined demeanour she carried while awake.
A wicked thought crossed his mind.
Slowly and carefully he began to remove her clothing intending to create the impression that their first night had already been over while she remained unaware of what had truly happened.
As he worked, he found himself oddly entertained by the task. There was a certain thrill in it and though he kept his movements controlled. Despite the temptation he held himself back never allowing his hands to linger where they shouldn't.
His will was strong. He was not someone who lost himself to impulse. Gently he untied the cloth wrapped around her waist and let it fall silently onto the ground. The soft fabric barely made a sound as it settled.
However when he moved to remove the upper bands he hesitated. Jin Mulan was partially resting on that section of fabric.
Any attempt to pull it free might disturb her sleep. After a brief pause he decided against risking it and left it as it was. Removing only what he could without alerting her. Satisfied with his careful work a faint sense of pride rose within him followed by a grin.
Moving with the same caution he slowly slid off the bed. The room was still quiet the morning light only just beginning to seep through the curtains.
Without another sound Luo He left the chamber heading for breakfast.